Brandon Morrow: 7 things to know about the new Cubs reliever

Brandon Morrow signed with the Cubs to bring much-needed relief help to a team that has its eye on a return trip to the World Series, but it’s not the first time he has shouldered heavy expectations. Here are seven things to know about the Santa Rosa, Calif., native.

1. That other guy

When the Seattle Mariners bypassed homegrown product Tim Lincecum to draft Morrow fifth overall in 2006, it ensured the two would forever be compared, at least in the Pacific Northwest. Lincecum has since won three World Series titles. Last month Morrow came close, but the Dodgers lost to the Astros in Game 7.

At least Morrow became only the second pitcher to appear in all seven games.

Morrow wears an insulin pump to treat his Type 1 diabetes, and he campaigns for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Last month he tweeted, “Pitching in all 7 games of the World Series with #T1D was no small feat. Join @JDRF this November in raising awareness! #T1DYouDontSee.”

4. Make room, Jonathan Toews

Like the Blackhawks star, Morrow is passionate about climate change. Last year he exchanged tweets with then-White Sox infielder Brett Lawrie about Leonardo DiCaprio’s documentary “Before the Flood.”

5. Early Cubs impression

Morrow recalled to the Contra Costa Times how striking out then-Cubs Jacque Jones and Derrek Lee and breaking Aramis Ramirez’s bat during spring training gave him confidence he could make it in the majors. "That was really the first time I faced big-league starting guys," Morrow said.

Brandon Morrow joins the Chicago Cubs in this "Tomorrow" parody. More at http://www.sonranto.com

Brandon Morrow joins the Chicago Cubs in this "Tomorrow" parody. More at http://www.sonranto.com